Celtic transfer decision-making and boardroom structure, Digi Mart USA News: Celtic supporters continue to protest the club’s direction, even with Martin O’Neill in the dugout. O’Neill helped bring the squad together for the post-split fixtures last season, but the club’s boardroom remains under scrutiny.
Celtic currently have no chairman, with Brian Wilson in interim charge, and Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale has not been replaced. Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph told Celtic Fans TV that transfer business is handled in a general meeting rather than through a clear structure.
According to Joseph, recruitment meetings have included Martin O’Neill, Shaun Maloney, James Bell-Walker (scout), Michael Nicholson and Brian Wilson. He said these sessions often focus on agents bringing players forward rather than a planned target list.
“I think he is (O’Neill having a big say on transfers),” said Joseph. “In a way, more of a say if Celtic had a sporting director or head coach scenario.”
Joseph said a sporting director or manager-led structure would allow a clearer transfer plan. “When you ask, ‘Who is actually in control?’ I can’t really tell you who is in control because I don’t think anyone is actually in control.”
Bell-Walker, a former senior scout at Chelsea, was involved in the recent signings of Shim Mheuka and Landon Emenalo on deadline day. Both were not included in the matchday squad for Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock at the weekend.
Haissem Hassan and Oliver Sorensen were also left out, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has seen limited playing time and several loan signings from last January were not re-signed.
